The maple syrup diet, also called the lemonade diet or the Master Cleanse, is a highly restrictive liquid diet. The diet allows only lemon juice mixed with pure organic Grade B maple syrup, water and cayenne pepper; water containing sea salt; and a laxative tea. This diet lasts 10 days, and the purpose is to lose 2 lbs. a day while eliminating toxins from the body.
Diarrhea and Dehydration
The laxative tea in the maple syrup diet may cause diarrhea. Diarrhea can lead to dehydration, which causes the body to lose too much fluid along with electrolytes, as explained by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH). Dehydration symptoms include thirst, dry skin, fatigue and light-headedness.
Acidity Effects
Laxatives acidify the blood, which can lead to metabolic acidosis, according to physician Marc Lawrence, known as the celebrity diet doctor. This can cause dizziness, weakness, nausea and vomiting. Although the maple syrup diet is promoted as a detoxification diet, it can actually cause toxins to build up in the body. This may occur if the rise in acidity causes glutathione levels in the liver to drop.
Colon Damage
The maple syrup diet can be dangerous if the person does it repeatedly. Laxative abuse can cause colon damage and irritable bowel syndrome, according to the National Eating Disorders Association. It also can lead to improper functioning of the heart, nervous system and muscles.
Weakened Immune System
This diet does not supply adequate nutrition. This, especially when combined with diarrhea, can lead to vitamin deficiencies, as water-soluble vitamins such as the B-complex vitamins are not stored in the body. Inadequate nutrition weakens the immune system, as explained by Lawrence, which can lead to illness.
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